Why this page does not publish its own blacklist
Naming a company as fraudulent without evidence can harm a legitimate business, and fraudsters change names so often that any private list ages within weeks. Regulators have legal powers, investigation teams and update their lists continuously, which makes them the authoritative source.
This page therefore explains which official lists exist, what each one covers and how to search it effectively. A firm absent from a warning list is not automatically safe: the decisive test is a positive entry on the authorisation register.
Warning lists versus authorisation registers
A warning list names firms that a regulator believes are operating without permission or impersonating others. An authorisation register lists firms that are permitted to lend. Checking both, and comparing contact details with the register entry, catches most fake and clone lenders.
The FCA Warning List in the United Kingdom
The Financial Conduct Authority publishes a searchable Warning List of unauthorised firms and individuals, including loan and credit brokers asking for upfront fees. Each entry shows the names, websites, emails and phone numbers used, which helps borrowers match a suspicious contact.
Clone warnings
Many FCA entries concern clones, where fraudsters copy the details of a genuine authorised firm. The real firm appears on the FCA Register with its own contact information. A borrower contacted through any other channel should assume a clone until proven otherwise.
IOSCO I-SCAN for international alerts
The International Organization of Securities Commissions runs I-SCAN, a portal that aggregates alerts from member regulators worldwide. It includes loan-related warnings, such as an entry flagging a clone named Seven 11 Loans that imitated an FCA-authorised firm.
Because I-SCAN pools alerts from many jurisdictions, it is useful when a lender claims to operate from abroad. Searching the name, website and any email domain often reveals warnings issued by a regulator in a country the borrower would not think to check.
European regulators
In France, the AMF and the ACPR publish blacklists of unauthorised websites, including sites offering credit. Italy's CONSOB orders the blocking of abusive financial websites, Spain's CNMV maintains a list of unregistered entities, and Germany's BaFin publishes warnings about firms conducting unauthorised business.
United States sources
There is no single federal blacklist of fake lenders. The FTC publishes enforcement actions against fraudulent loan and debt relief operations, state financial regulators list licensed lenders, and NMLS Consumer Access shows whether a company holds a relevant state licence.
Other regions
Australia's ASIC publishes investor alerts and a Moneysmart list of companies to avoid. South Africa's National Credit Regulator registers credit providers and the FSCA issues warnings. India's Reserve Bank and many other central banks list authorised lenders and digital lending apps.
Official lists compared
The table summarises major official sources. Coverage varies: some focus on investments, others on credit, and some only list authorised firms. Using more than one source gives a fuller picture of a lender claiming to operate internationally.
| Source | Country or scope | What it lists | Best used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| FCA Warning List | United Kingdom | Unauthorised firms and clones | UK lenders and brokers |
| IOSCO I-SCAN | International | Alerts from member regulators | Lenders claiming foreign bases |
| AMF and ACPR blacklists | France | Unauthorised credit and investment sites | French-language offers |
| CONSOB and CNMV | Italy and Spain | Blocked or unregistered entities | Southern European offers |
| FTC and state regulators | United States | Enforcement actions and licensed firms | US lenders |
| ASIC Moneysmart | Australia | Companies to avoid | Australian offers |
How to check a lender properly
A thorough check takes only a few minutes and should be done before sharing any documents or making any payment. The steps below apply to banks, online platforms, brokers and individuals presenting themselves as private lenders.
- Note the exact company name, website, email domain and phone number used.
- Search the authorisation register of the regulator in the lender's claimed country.
- Compare every contact detail with the register entry, not only the name.
- Search the regulator's warning list and IOSCO I-SCAN for each detail.
- Contact the firm only through details taken from the official register.
- Report the lender if it appears on no register or its details do not match.
Patterns that indicate a fake lender
Fake lenders change names constantly, but their methods stay recognisable. Even when no official warning yet exists, these patterns justify ending contact and reporting the offer to the relevant regulator so that it can be added to an official list:
- An upfront fee is required for insurance, taxes or a transfer code before payout.
- The registration number belongs to another firm with different contact details.
- Communication runs only through messaging apps or free email addresses.
- The website was registered recently and shows no verifiable physical address.
- Testimonials and certificates of approval appear copied or digitally altered.
Reporting a suspected fake lender
Reports help regulators add firms to warning lists quickly. In the UK, unauthorised firms can be reported to the FCA directly. In the US, the FTC accepts fraud reports. Most national regulators provide an online form for reporting suspicious financial websites and offers.
Frequently asked questions
The following answers address common questions about official lists of fake lenders and how to interpret them. When in doubt about a specific firm, the safest approach is to contact the regulator itself using its published contact channels.
Is a lender safe if it is not on a warning list?
No. Warning lists only contain firms that regulators have already identified, and new scam websites appear daily. A lender is only verifiably legitimate when it appears on the authorisation register and its contact details match exactly.
Are forum blacklists of fake lenders reliable?
They can offer clues but are not authoritative. Entries may be outdated, posted by competitors or confuse a genuine firm with its clone. Use them as a prompt to check the regulator's own warning list and register, never as proof.
Why do clone firms use real registration numbers?
Copying a real number makes a quick check look successful. That is why the contact details matter: a clone gives its own phone, email or website, which will differ from those recorded by the regulator for the genuine authorised firm.
Can a fake lender be removed from a warning list?
Regulators may update or remove entries if new information shows an error, and firms can ask for corrections. Removal is uncommon for genuine scams, which usually abandon the name and reappear under a new one rather than seek correction.
Useful organisations and resources
- FCA – Unauthorised firms and individuals — Explains the risks of unauthorised firms and how to report them.
- FCA – Protect yourself — FCA guidance on using the register and warning list together.
- FTC – Enforcement against impersonation operation — Example of a US enforcement action against a fraudulent financial operation.
Official and legal references
- FCA Warning List of unauthorised firms — The UK regulator's searchable list of unauthorised and clone firms.
- IOSCO I-SCAN – Seven 11 Loans clone alert — International regulator alert identifying a clone of an FCA-authorised loan firm.